City eases move into new Workforce Solutions center

Council approved a $600,000, no-interest loan Thursday to Workforce Solutions Capital Area to help cover some of its short-term expansion costs. The organization has apparently been forced to cut some of its client services this fiscal year due to the financial constraints of making the move into the city’s largest career center, which will soon host over 200 staff members. The new 70,000-square-foot East Austin center is meant to be a flagship hub facilitating the work of the Master Community Workforce Plan to secure 10,000 middle-skill jobs for economically disadvantaged people by 2021. The new campus will feature three times as much conference room space for community conversations and more private rooms for individual consultations between clients and staff. Workforce Solutions is aiming to make its jump into the center in July.